Kenyan’s Heartache as Fuel Prices Go Up

This is the 5th month in a row fuel prices have gone up.
Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) made the announcement on Sunday that pump prices would go up. Super petrol has gone up by KSh 2.13 to retail at KSh 106.30 in Nairobi, diesel has gone up by KSh2.39 to retail at KSh 94.82 in Nairobi while kerosene has gone up by KSh 3.39 to retail at KSh 74.78 in Nairobi.
ERC normally controls petroleum prices through monthly reviews.
The Central Organization of Trade Union (COTU) has urged the government to stay true to its promise of providing sustainable energy as the persistent increase of fuel prices are hurting the Kenyan worker.
An increase in fuel price will result to increase in the cost of living as the cost of cooking, lighting and transport goes resulting to a ripple effect on all the other commodities.
The high cost has been attributed to the increase in landed costs which include transportation fees, inland and ocean levies, duties, taxes, insurance, currency conversion, crating, handling and payment fees.
Taxes and fixed charges contribute highly and they are likely to remain constant irrespective of global prices.